It was a busy start to Home & Gift in Harrogate yesterday (Sunday 21 July) with visitors queuing to get into the show, and exhibitors delighted to see buyers out in force.
“We hit the ground running, taking two orders straightaway,” commented Hot Tomato’s managing director Alex Machin. “We were very happy with the first day.”
On the Willsow stand, founder Tom Willday highlighted a vibrant show. Launching at the show for the company were licensed plantable Christmas crackers in collaboration with the RHS. All feature RHS designs and recycled paper, with the cracker containing a hat and joke. “Once the paper is planted, it grows and flowers, making the cracker the gift,” explained Tom. The crackers complement the company’s recently launched RHS calendars which feature a different flower for each month of the year.
“So far so good,” said Corrin Craft’s managing director Robin Taylor. “We saw interest from a department stores and garden centres so was a good start to the show.”
On the Caroline Gardner stand, senior sales manager Luca Bridges commented: “We saw a lot of interest in our new gift lines which feature eye-catching colours and designs. Homewares too, is a big growth area for us.”
Also having a successful show was Spice Kitchen’s managing director Sanjay Aggarwal. “We took orders as soon as the show opened,” he confirmed. “Triangle-shaped chocolate bars were one of our newest launches.”
Among the retailers at the show was gift retailer Pete Whiteman, co-owner of Amore and Dzo Dzo in Woodbridge. “We’ve been attending Home & Gift for 33 years, and have found lots of new products at the show already,” confirmed Pete. “We’ve also been catching up with existing suppliers and have discovered some new suppliers too.”
Added Stephen McHale, owner of Bentleys and Maddison gift shops in the West Midlands: “We found the first day of the show very upbeat, with a good atmosphere, and we placed several orders.”
Home & Gift’s annual Sundowners drinks party, sponsored by Progressive Gifts & Home/Max Publishing, saw everyone letting their hair down once the doors closed at 5.30pm.
Home & Gift is taking place in the grounds of the DoubleTree by Hilton Harrogate, and in the Harrogate Convention Centre. The show runs until 4pm on Wednesday July 24. Visit www.homeandgift.co.uk
For the full A-Z of exhibitors, and to register, visit www.homeandgift.co.uk.
Read more about Home & Gift on pages 34-35 in the July issue of Progressive Gifts & Home click here
Progressive Gifts & Home magazine, along with its digital partner GiftsandHome.net, is a confirmed media partner of the show, following many years of successful collaboration.
Top: Cheers! Having fun at Home & Gift’s Sundowners party yesterday (Sunday 21 July).
